Man pleads guilty to vehicular manslaughter

January 8, 2013

Kenny Carl Struhs, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter plea on Tuesday before District Judge Darren Simpson.
Under the plea agreement, Struhs pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter, a felony. The state dismissed count two, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, which was also a felony.
"So what did you do that makes you guilty?" asked Judge Simpson.
"I was operating a vehicle on a Rich Lane under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 2, 2012," Struhs said. "I was driving a 1999 black Blaser.
"A motorcycle struck the right side of my vehicle that caused death," he said.
Asked what his blood alcohol level was, Struhs responded, "0.157."
According to the police report, Blackfoot Police responded to this two-vehicle collision at 9:40 p.m. on Aug. 2, in the area of East Harmony and Rich Lane. The motorcyclist, Brent Hansen, 36, died as a result of the accident. A 6-year-old female was injured and transported to Bingham Memorial Hospital. The 6-year-old has since recovered from her injuries.
Struhs was offered a non-binding plea agreement. At his sentencing, he could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in the Idaho Department of Corrections. He could also be required to make restitution, pay a civil fine and face the suspension of his driver's license.
Tuesday, Simpson ordered a Presentence Investigation Report and Substance Abuse Assessment.
Struhs will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. He has been in the Bingham County Jail since August.